Michael Phelps Nixed Mark Spitz SNL Sketch "Out Of Respect For Spitz"

While the reviews of Michael Phelps' SNL performance were decidedly unfavorable — reactions included "a fish out of water," "unmemorable," "awful," "OK," "tremendously awful," and "uncomfortable" — don't blame the writers. Broadcasting & Cable's Alex Weprin reports that cast member Jason Sudeikis told the crowd at the New York Television Festival Sunday some of the sketches that got cut — and they sound like comedy gold:

Among the topics of conversation were some of the sketches that were left on the cutting room floor from last night's season premiere of SNL, with host Michael Phelps. Sudeikis says he (half jokingly) pitched a fake commercial for a urine based cure for athletes foot, endorsed by Phelps. It didn't go over well, and never made it past the pitch.

One sketch that sounded like comedy gold to me was "Puttin on the Spitz!" a talk show hosted by Mark Spitz, with the musical stylings of Elliot Spitzer. Sudeikis says Phelps nixed it out of respect for Spitz.

One other sketch that didn't make it, but might in the future, Weprin reports, was about layoffs at the Justice League of America. Phelps, who was slated to play Aquaman, may be replaced by someone else later in the season.

Below, watch Phelps in what was probably his best performance, the "Michael Phelps Diet" sketch:

Comments

[samesource]

Why, why, why do people want to watch athletes perform sketch comedy? Add Phelps to the list of Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, and Nancy Kerrigan (not to mention O.J. Simpson). All of them were terrible--almost as bad as when the programming geniuses bring politicians on the show. I just don't get this. I have no desire to see Bill Murray play Center Field for the Dodgers, no desire to see John Lovitz Quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, and no desire to see Amy Poehler skate for a medal in the olympics, but at least they would be more entertaining.

[Arguman]

I haven't seen the entire Tom Brady episode, but he was great in the Sexual Harrassment And You skit.

[Josiwe]

It has nothing to do with entertainment and everything to do with marketing. Everyone knows who he is, they have no idea whether he has comic timing, so promote promote promote pimp pimp pimp and grab the ratings. Then just never invite him back.

[FatherWolf]

Michael Phelps is an awesome swimming machine. That's what's important and will assure his place in history.

He has no stage presence and can't read lines without stumbling. That's not important and will be a minor footnote in his biography.

[PuddyKatz]

He was a terrible actor, so what!
He seems like a decent person however for nixing the Spitz sketch. I give him credit for that. The writers of this piece can't make distinctions or note when someone is acting honorably.

[LiberalBuzz]

Some of the stuff was humorous and some of the stuff was NOT, but then again, ya have to come up with something funny every week and it's obvious the writers have long ago been more terrified of offending than in making great comedy. I've noticed they keep getting safer and safer and that gets boring and more boring.

I'm glad Phelps showed some respect for Spitz, that skit didn't sound like comedy gold, it sounded more like comedy flop.

[DRaymond]

I think Phelps made a good call nixing the Spits spot. It would seem like bad sportsmanship, like Hank Aaron making a parody of Babe Ruth.

The Aquaman being laid off bit though, may have some potential.

[Arguman]

Comedy/Acting is art, not sport. So Phelps imitating Spitz would not be "bad sportsmanship".

Sportmanship
n.

1. The fact or practice of participating in sports or a sport.
2. Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports, especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing.

And Hank Aaron doing a parody of Babe Ruth would be awesome. Because it would involve Aaron acting as The Babe if he were in blackface.

[larry278]

Mr Phelps may not be an actor; he may be content with being a skilled sportsman & a gentleman. There are people like that in fly over country. That's why I moved east. I don't need to be a sportsman or a gentleman. I don't have the talent to be a sportsman or a gentleman. That isn't unusual in the mid-Atlantic states. Lounge lizzards are welcome in the east.

[yorkie]

SNL AMY HAVE had a brief comeback with the HILLARY bits during the primaries ,,bu the show is still flawed,lackluster and seems rudderless,,,, it also has not had any break through style talent of late except got fey and hammond. It has run it's course and needs either a big face lift n.,,,new writers, and be wackier, live acts, less music, or fade out. comedy central etc have greatly replaced much of what snl was..... I would like to see a return of great live comedies in prime time!!! It was comedy gold in the 50's..... Also on NBC their Tonight Show needs a re do and should be in NYC,,, do it live and have DIFF HOST !!! O'brien does not ahve a second act and will slowly fade out I predict.......

[RedStateCenterLeft]

Someday, with training, Phelps could wind up being a pretty good TV commentator in the manner of John Naber and Rowdy Gaines. Spitz himself, tried the commentary box with ABC in Montreal during the 1976 Olympics and stank up the pool.

As Howard Cosell once aptly put, "Jockocracy, having played the game, does not automatically translate into the ability to communicate about sports."

That's telling it like it is, Howard!

[GayGrandpa]

PATHETICALLY WRITTEN...blame the writers and the producer!

[Beowolf741]

What he wins 8 gold medals but can't do badly written comedy? Banish him to the forbidden zone where no one ever returns.

"Oh come on - Phelps probably wouldn't have been good at any of those sketches either.

Doesn't make me admire him any less for his legendary athletic accomplishments, and in fact I think he exhibited pretty good judgment in nixing a Spitz sketch that may have been mean-spirited. That just shows to me that he is a thoughtful, intelligent, compassionate young man." -SeriousBlack
Well said!!!

[crutnacker]

It was painful. PAINFUL. Two skits that were used last year without any changes. Another lame game show parody and lame talk show parody.

I have yet to understand why SNL is so reluctant to parody movies or television shows that actually exist. How much fun could you have with a Gray's Anatomy or 24?

[EdwinHJ]

Thinking back to last week's SNL: The game show bit had real potential--but the execution was awful.

[politicky]

I'm glad that Phelps nixed the Spitz skit and I'm sorry, but I think the best joke Phelps spit out was the one where he joked about being covered by NBC for over 700 hours. He knows he's a commodity, and he knows he's not an actor. He's playing the game in order to raise more interest in the sport.

[useyourbrain]

Spitz was a great athlete with a record that held for 36 years (plus they didn't have the extra race Phelps won in 1972). He has a career as a doctor, I think and has kept to himself to raise a family.
That sketch the writer wrote is typical of how purile SNL has gotten. I'm surprised they didn't have ____ on a Ritz (ask someone if you don't know what I is refers to here).

The scandal of NBC and the Olympic committee was that they did not invite Spitz to China to be there to sort of hand off and salute the new champion. Now that would be great TV. But no, they didn't do that. Just like the didn't have any shots of the Australian diver who came from behind to nail the Gold and his male "partner". Guess it was an oversight not to show his family in the stands.

[GayTalkExpress]

Nothing would have helped last Saturday's cringeworthy season opener. Phelps seems a charming fellow, but is not an actor. Spitz was not an actor. Jenner was not an actor. They were all forced by avaricious branding machines into awful attempts at stardom beyond their athletic abilities. I don't think this helped with his "brand". Somebody be his friend and tell him to stick with swimming and stay away from these sharks in Prada loafers.

[tomomaha]

Thou doth protest too much.

The opening sketch was far from cringeworthy, and the much awaited debut of Tina Fey cum Palin was perfect.

Now I can't wait for Tina Fey playing Palin playing Tina Fey last Halloween this Halloween? Everyone agree?

[OhDear]

Comedy gold? Uh, yea.

[SeriousBlack]

Oh come on - Phelps probably wouldn't have been good at any of those sketches either.

Doesn't make me admire him any less for his legendary athletic accomplishments, and in fact I think he exhibited pretty good judgment in nixing a Spitz sketch that may have been mean-spirited. That just shows to me that he is a thoughtful, intelligent, compassionate young man.